How good are herbs for health? When we think of natural foods that benefit our overall health, we tend to focus on things like fruits, veggies, and beans.
But we should never forget about the various health benefits of herbs.
For eons, people have been using herbs for everything from flavoring to spiritual rituals.
Nonetheless, today's clinical studies are proving that ancient people were basically on the right track.
But specifically, why are herbs so healthy? It turns out that when you add herbs to your food, you aren't just making it tastier-you're indirectly making yourself stronger! On a microscopic level, tiny things called "free radicals" threaten to damage our body's cells.
Antioxidants help to combat these free radicals, and thus prevent us from acquiring different illnesses, and disease such as cancer.
The most common antioxidants are contained in different vitamins, such as Vitamin C and Vitamin D.
But in herbs, the antioxidants exist in substances such as phenols and flavonoids.
These are huge groups of antioxidant compounds.
What makes the antioxidants in herbs so special? It's all in the substances that they're contained in.
The flavonoids, phenols, and polyphenols that they're found in, make them particularly potent in battling potential damage to our body's and brain's cells.
That's why you shouldn't only get your antioxidants from foods such as orange juice or spinach! Here are the specific health benefits of certain varieties of herbs: 1.
Garlic When we think of garlic, we tend to think of the strong flavor and scent that this herb gives our foods.
But there's much more! Garlic can help to reduce your cholesterol level.
People have long used it as a remedy for colds and flues.
Others use garlic to treat their acne symptoms.
And finally, a really interesting function of garlic is as a repellent for mosquitoes! 2.
Ginkgo Besides being fun to say, this herb also provides several health benefits.
Clinical studies have revealed that the herb is effective in battling Alzheimer's disease, clogged arteries in the legs, and a brain disorder called "cerebral insufficiency.
" While people also argue that ginkgo effectively treats other illnesses and diseases, there's little or no solid scientific research to back up such claims.
3.
Mint Besides freshening your breath, mint can also benefit your health in several ways.
It can provide relief from headaches, calm your mind, and treat health problems related to digestion.
4.
Rosemary Not only does rosemary have a sweet name, this herb also offers a wide array of health benefits.
It promotes the liver's cleansing function, provides relief from headaches, and increases the body's circulation of blood.
5.
Thyme This ancient herb not only adds fantastic flavor to food, but also provides several health benefits.
Thyme can help to cleanse your body of toxins; boost your immune system; and even provide some relief from flues and colds, such as coughs and sore throats.
When you want to boost your health, you don't have to limit your foods to fruits and veggies.
These are just some of the health benefits that you can get from the "other" types of plants-herbs!